Regular Meeting, Tuesday August 18, 2020 @ 7:00 p.m. via ZOOM, instruction on district website | Township of Union Public Schools

Date

Tuesday, August 18, 2020 - 07:00 pm

Regular Meeting of the Township of Union Board of Education, Tuesday, August 18, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. via ZOOM, instructions on district website.

TOWNSHIP OF UNION BOARD OF EDUCATION

REGULAR MEETING AGENDA – AUGUST 18, 2020

A. Roll Call

B. Flag Salute

C. Open Public Meetings Act Statement

D. Mission Statement

E. Comments from Public on Resolutions

F. Approval of Minutes:

1. April 28, 2020 – regular meeting

2. April 30, 2020 – budget meeting

G. Communications

REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF LEAVE – LOPEZ

Request for extension of paid medical leave from Ovidio Lopez, custodian-Washington Elementary School, tentative return date September 1, 2020.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE EXTENSION – PISCIOTTA

Request for extension of paid medical leave from Lynn Pisciotta, confidential administrative assistant-Central Office, new return date of August 3, 2020.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE – CHURUS

Request for intermittent unpaid NJFLA/FMLA (concurrently) leave from Eric Churus, computer literacy/applications/programming teacher-Burnet Middle School, September 1, 2020-June 30, 2021.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – ROBERTS

Request for unpaid non-FMLA internship from Shareenah Roberts, special services paraprofessional-Burnet Middle School, September 3, 2020-December 31, 2020.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – GIANCASPRO

Request for intermittent FMLA from Denise Giancaspro, special services 10-month secretary, September 1, 2020-June 30, 2021.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – LOPEZ

Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Ovidio Lopez, custodian-Washington Elementary School, effective December 31, 2020.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – WALLER-MOSES

Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Annie Waller-Moses, Assistant Superintendent-Central Office, effective January 1, 2021.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – TRUHE

Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Jeffrey Truhe, health and physical education teacher-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, effective November 27, 2020.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – SICKLES

Letter of resignation, for purposes of retirement, from Robin Sickles, art teacher-Burnet Middle School, effective October 1, 2020.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – NICASTRO

Request for paid medical leave from Joyce Nicastro, kindergarten teacher-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, September 1, 2020-September 30, 2020

LETTER OF RETIREMENT – NICASTRO

Letter of resignation, for the purposes of retirement, from Joyce Nicastro, kindergarten teacher-Connecticut Farms Elementary School, effective October 1, 2020.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE – KESSOCK

Request for paid medical leave from Tracy Kessock, 12-month administrative assistant-Central Office/Transportation, August 26, 2020 to September 18, 2020.

LETTER OF RETIREMENT - TATUM

Letter of resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from Gregory Tatum, Superintendent-Central Office, effective January 1, 2021.

REQUEST TO REMOVE LEAVE - MENDES

Request to remove leave from Jessica Mendes previously approved on July 21, 2020 agenda.

REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF LEAVE - HALL

Request for extension of unpaid FMLA/NJFLA leave followed by unpaid non-FMLA/non-NJFLA leave from Shaquana Hall, custodian-Hannah Caldwell, Elementary School, extension through October 31, 2020.

REQUEST FOR INTERMITTENT LEAVE - RAMEY

Request for intermittent FMLA from Joelle Ramney, math teacher-Burnet Middle School, September 1, 2020-June 30, 2021.

REQUEST FOR LEAVE - KRATZ

Request for leave under FFCRA for 12 weeks followed by unpaid non-FFCRA leave from Robyn Kratz, teacher-Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, September 1, 2020-June 30, 20201.

H. Superintendent’s Report

I. Education/Student Discipline Committee Resolutions

Upon recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Education/Student Discipline Committee presents the following resolutions for the Board’s consideration:

E-1. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT OF HIB

Superintendent’s Report of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) for the period July 22, 2020 to August 18, 2020 (no HIB to report for this period) (no vote required; for reporting purposes only).

E-2. APPROVE DISTRICT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Approve the 2019-2020 District Professional Development, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

E-3. APPROVE CURRICULUM GUIDES

Approve the following curriculum guides, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

African American History
Advanced Placement United States History I
Grade 5 Social Studies
Grade 6 Social Studies
Grade 7 Honors Social Studies
Grade 7 Social Studies
Grade 8 Honors Social Studies
Grade 8 Social Studies
Honors United States History I
United States History I
United States History II
World History
Mathematics Grade K
Mathematics Grade 1
Mathematics Grade 2
Mathematics Grade 3
Mathematics Grade 4
Mathematics Grade 5
Mathematics Grade 6

E-4. APPROVE CODE OF CONDUCT AND CORE VALUES – 2020-2021

Approve Code of Conduct and Core Values for the 2020-2021 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

E-5. APPROVE MEDICAL SERVICES HANDBOOK AND SCHOOL HEALTH STANDING ORDERS

Approve Medical Services Handbook, revised 2020, and School Health Standing Orders for the 2020-2021 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

E-6. APPROVE CONTRACTS – COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED

Approve Service Contract with the State of New Jersey, Department of Human Services, Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, for educational services for students in the District for the 2020-2021 school year, in accordance with the non-public information in the hands of each Board member.

E-7. APPROVE WELLNESS MANAGEMENT SERVICES OF TRINITAS REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER - STUDENT SUPPORT

Approve contract with Wellness Management Services of Trinitas Regional Medical Center, to provide Student Support Services for the 2020-2021 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

E-8. APPROVE COVID-19 PANDEMIC RELATED GUIDELINES FOR NURSES

Approve the COVID-19 Pandemic Related Guidelines for TUPS’ School Nurses, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

E-9. APPROVE REVISED SCHOOL CALENDAR - 2020-2021

Approve revised school calendar for the 2020-2021 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

I. Fiscal and Planning Committee Resolutions

Upon recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Fiscal and Planning Committee presents the following resolutions for the Board’s consideration:

F-1. TREASURER’S REPORT

That the Treasurer’s Report dated July 31, 2020 be accepted.

F-2. SECRETARY’S REPORT

That the Secretary’s Report dated July 31, 2020 be accepted.

F-3. CERTIFY TREASURER’S AND SECRETARY’S REPORT

Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:23-2.11(a), I certify that as of July 31, 2020 no budgetary line item account has obligations and payments (contractual orders) which in total exceed the amount appropriated by the district Board of education pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:22-8 and 18:22-8.1.

/s/ Manuel E. Vieira ____________

Manuel E. Vieira, Board Secretary Dated

Pursuant to N.J.A.C.6A:23-2.2(h), we certify that as of July 31, 2020 after review of the secretary’s monthly financial report (appropriations section) and upon consultation with the appropriate district officials that to the best of our knowledge no major account or fund has been over-expended in violation of N.J.A.C. 6A:23-2.2(d)3 and that sufficient funds are available to meet the district’s financial obligations for the remainder of the fiscal year. This certification is solely based on the information provided by the School Business Administrator and Board Secretary and is assumed by the Board to be correct.

F-4. APPROVE APPROPRIATION TRANSFERS

Approve appropriation transfers in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-5. APPROVE LIST OF CONTRACTS/PURCHASE ORDERS

Approve the attached list of contracts and/or purchase orders pursuant to the requirements of N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-5 (bid exceptions to requirement for advertising) and 18A:18A-10(a) (purchase through State agency; procedure), in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-6. APPROVE DISTRICT WIDE TRAVEL AND RELATED EXPENSES

Approve district wide travel and related expenses pursuant to the requirements of N.J.S.A. 18A:11-12, N.J.A.C. 6A:23A-7 and Board Policy File Code 6471 and in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-7. PRE-APPROVE DISTRICTWIDE STUDENT FIELD TRIPS

Pre-approve districtwide student field trip destinations and purposes pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:23A-5.8 in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-8. APPROVE LIST OF 2020-2021 STATE CONTRACT VENDORS

Approve the amended list of the 2020-2021 State Contract Vendors pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-10(a) (purchase through State agency; procedure) to facilitate schools’ purchasing, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-9. APPROVE PETTY CASH ACCOUNTS – CBI INSTRUCTION

Approve petty cash account for costs associated with students’ IEP driven Community Based Instruction (CBI) for the 2020-2021 school year at the following schools: (a) Burnet Middle School - $1,800.00; (b) Kawameeh Middle School - $700.00 and (c) Union High School - $5,500.00.

F-10. APPROVE 2020-2021 OUT-OF-DISTRICT STUDENT PLACEMENT LIST

Approval be given to amend the 2020-2021 out-of-district student placement list, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-11. APPROVE TO AMEND THE MAXIMUM DOLLAR LIMIT – PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Approve amending the maximum dollar limit for professional services from $3,314,000 to $3,499,00, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-12. APPROVE PILLAR CARE CONTINUUM – ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Approve Pillar Care Continuum (Cerebral Palsy of North Jersey, Inc.) to provide Assistive Technology at the rate of $995.00 per evaluation and augmentative and alternative communication evaluations at the rate of $1,500.00 per evaluation. AAC training at $200.00 per hour for the 2020-2021 school year (not to exceed $5,000.00) [Acct. #11-000-219-320-01-19].

F-13. APPROVE UCESC – TEACHER OF THE DEAF SERVICES

Approve Union County Educational Service Commission (UCESC) to provide teacher of the deaf services at the rate of $111.00 per hour (not to exceed $4,000.00) for the 2020-2021 school year [Acct. #11-000-216-320-01-19].

F-14. APPROVE EPIC HEALTH SERVICES – NURSING SERVICES

Approve Epic Health Services Inc. to provide nursing services, at the rate of $60.00/hr. for RN and $50.00/hr. for LPN, as well as provide nursing transportation services at the rate of $115.00 per trip (not to exceed $280,000.00) for the 2020-2021 school year [Acct. #11-000-216-320-01-19], in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-15. APPROVE APPLICATION SUBMISSION – NJDOE 2020 BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE GRANT

Approve application submission of the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) 2020 Bridging the Digital Divide Grant, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-16. APPROVE FORM AND SALE RESOLUTION

Approve resolution authorizing certain actions necessary in connection with the sale and issuance of not to exceed $13,175,000 aggregate principal amount of Refunding School Bonds and authorizing the appropriate officials to do all acts and things deemed necessary and advisable in connection with the sale, issuance and delivery of said bonds, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-17. APPROVE RESOLUTION – ENERGY SAVINGS PLAN

Approve resolution (a) approving Energy Savings Plan (ESP), (b) authorizing the execution of a contract with Schneider Electric for undertaking ESP; (c) authorizing application to the Local Finance Board for financing of ESP, and (d) approving, on first reading, an ordinance for the issuance of Energy Savings Obligation Refunding Bonds to finance ESP, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-18. APPROVE PLAN FOR REDUCTION OF STATE AID

Approve plan for the reduction of State Aid in the amount of $268,436 for the 2020-2021 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-19. APPROVE PLATT PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATES – PSYCHIATRIC CONSULTANTS

Approve Platt Psychiatric Associates to provide in-office psychiatric evaluations for district staff.

F-20. APPROVE INLINGUA – TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETATION SERVICES

Approve Inlingua to provide translation and interpretation services for the 2020-2021 school year, not to exceed $1,500.00 [Acct. #11-000-216-320-01-19], in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

F-21. APPROVE APPLICATION FOR NJCAP GRANT

Approve the application for the New Jersey Child Assault Prevention 2020-2021 Grant – Elementary, Teen and Special Needs – (CAP), in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member. The amount of classes to be serviced may be adjusted based on final enrollment for the 2020-2021 school year.

F-22. For informational purposes only – vote not required. List of legal services for the 2020-2021 fiscal years, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

J. Operations Committee Resolutions

Upon recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Operations Committee presents the following resolutions for the Board’s consideration:

O-1. APPROVE SECURITY DRILL/BUS EVACUATION REPORTS

Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:41-1 and P.L. 2009, Chapter 178, approve the following security drill and bus evacuation reports for the 2019-2020 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

O-2. APPROVE PROPERTY/CASUALTY/WORKERS COMPENSATION BROKERAGE SERVICE - ACRISURE/FAIRVIEW

Approve Acrisure/Fairview Insurance Agency as the property/casualty/workers’ compensation brokerage service for the district for the period July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021.

O-3. APPROVE SUBMISSION OF ANTICIPATED FACILITY RQUESTS

Approve submission of Anticipated Facility Requests for the 2020-2021 school year to the New Jersey Department of Education (Union County office), in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

O-4. APPROVE SUBMISSION OF ALTERNATE METHOD OF COMPLIANCE

Approve submission of the alternate method of compliance in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:26-6.3 and/or 6.4 for toilet room facilities for early intervention, pre-kindergarten and kindergarten classrooms (2020-2021 school year), in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

O-5. APPROVE SERVICE PROPOSAL – STANK ENVIRONMENTAL PEST CONTROL

Approve Service Renewal Proposal from Stank LLC Environmental Pest Control (Pest Control & IPM Law Compliance Services) for the period July 1, 2020-June 30, 2021, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

O-6. APPROVE AGREEMENT WITH BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF UNION COUNTY

Approve agreement with the Boys & Girls Club of Union County for the 2020-2021 winter swim season, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

K. Personnel Committee Resolutions

Upon recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Personnel Committee presents the following resolutions for the Board’s consideration:

P-1A. PERSONNEL ACTIONS – NEW HIRES

Personnel Actions-New Hires be approved in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

P-1B PERSONNEL ACTIONS – EXTRA PAY

Personnel Actions-Extra Pay be approved in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

P-1C PERSONNEL ACTIONS – TRANSFERS

Personnel Actions- Transfers be approved in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

P-2. APPROVE SUBSTITUTE LISTS

Approve Substitute Lists for the 2020-2021 school year in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board.

P-3. ACCEPT LETTERS OF RESIGNATION/RETIREMENT

Accept letters of resignation/retirement from the following staff:

Name	Position	Location	Eff. Date	Reason	Notes
Lopez, Ovidio	Custodian	Washington	12/31/2020	Retirement	Currently on paid medical leave
Waller-Moses, Annie	Assistant Superintendent	Central Office	1/1/2021	Retirement
Truhe, Jeffrey	Health and phys ed teacher	Connecticut Farms	11/27/2020	Retirement
Sickles, Robin	Art teacher	BMS	10/1/2020	Retirement
Nicastro, Joyce	Kindergarten teacher	Connecticut Farms	10/1/2020	Retirement	Currently on paid medical leave
Tatum, Gregory	Superintendent	Central Office	1/1/2021	Retirement

P-4. APPROVE LEAVES

Approve leaves for the following staff:

Name	Position	Location	Leave Dates	Leave Type	Notes/ Corrections: All tentative approvals are pending required documentation.
Churus, Eric	Teacher of Computer Literacy/ Applications/ Programming	BMS	Intermittent FMLA/NJFLA 9/1/2020-6/30/2021	Intermittent Unpaid NJFLA/FMLA	FMLA/NJFLA (concurrently) for Paternity leave Entitlement not to exceed 12 weeks.
Giancaspro, Denise	Special Services 10 Month Secretary	Hamilton/SS	Intermittent FMLA 9/1/2020-6/30/2021	Intermittent FMLA	FMLA Entitlement not to exceed 12 weeks.
Lopez, Ovidio	Custodian	Washington	Extension through 8/31/2020 Tentative Return: 9/1/2020	Extension of Paid Medical Leave	Tentative Return: 9/1/2020. Org. Leave began 2/26/2020
Nicastro, Joyce	Kindergarten Teacher	Connecticut Farms	9/1/2020-9/30/2020	Paid Medical Leave
Pisciotta, Lynn	Confidential Administrative Assistant	Central Office	Extension/ Update to Return 8/3/2020	Return of 8/3/2020	Org. Leave began 6/3/2020 Returned 8/3/2020
Roberts, Shareenah	Paraprofessional for SS	BMS	9/3/2020-12/31/2020	Non FMLA Internship	Unpaid Leave for internship. Does not meet requirements of FMLA entitlement.
Kessock, Tracy	12-month administrative assistant	Central Office/ Transportation	8/26/2020-9/18/2020	Paid Medical Leave
Mendes, Jessica	Elementary teacher	Franklin		Remove approved leave from 7/21/2020 Board mtg.
Hall, Shaquana	custodian	HC	extension through 10/31/2020; tentative return 11/1/2020	extension of current unpaid FMLA/NJFLA leave followed by unpaid non-FMLA/non-NJFLA	FMLA/NJFLA entitlement not to exceed initial unpaid 12 weeks. Org. leave began 5/11/2020
Kratz, Robyn	elementary teacher	HC	9/1/2020-6/30/2021	leave under FFCRA for 12 weeks followed by unpaid non-FFCRA leave	FFCRA: Family First Coronavirsu Response Act FFCRA entitlement not to exceed initial 12 weeks
Ramey, Joelle	math teacher	BMS	intermittent leave 9/1/2020-6/30/2021	intermittent FMLA	FMLA entitlement not to exceed 12 weeks

P-5. APPROVE RESIDENCY INVESTIGATORS – 2020-2021

Approve residency investigators for the 2020-2021 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

P-6. APPROVE DISTRICT DCP&P LIAISON

Approve Julia Vicidomini and Kim Conti as the district DCP&P liaison for the 2020-2021 school year, at no cost to the District.

P-7. APPROVE CARE STATION – EMPLOYEE PHYSICALS

Approve Care Station to perform employee physicals for the 2020-2021 school year [Acct. #11-000-213-330-01-54-0060].

P-8. APPROVE CHANGE OF SALARY CLASS – EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 2020

Approve Change of Salary Class (effective September 2020), in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

P-9. APPROVE AFFILIATION AGREEMENT – RUTGERS UNIVERSITY

Approve Affiliation Agreement between Rutgers University and the Township of Union Public Schools for internship request with special services, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

P-10. APPROVE ATTENDANCE – MUJC MEETINGS

Approve Kim Conti, Director of Special Services, Joseph Seugling, Supervisor of Special Services and Chris Carew, Interim Supervisor Special Services, to attend meetings at Morris Union Jointure Commission (MUJC), at no cost to the district for the 2020-2021 school year.

P-11. APPROVE ATTENDANCE – UCASE MEETINGS

Approve Kim Conti, Director of Special Services, to attend UCASE meetings at a cost of $50 for the 2020-2021 school year.

P-12. APPROVE ATTENDANCE – MUJC MEETINGS

Approve Dr. Brian Kaufman and Marcel Royal to attend the Behaviorists Subcommittee meetings at the Morris Union Jointure Commission, at no cost to the District, for the 2020-2021 school year.

P-13. APPROVE ATTENDANCE – MUJC MEETINGS

Approve Dr. Brian Kaufman and Marcel Royal to attend Autism Symposium meetings at the Morris Union Jointure Commission, at no cost to the District, for the 2020-2021 school year.

P-14. APPROVE STUDENT TEACHERS AND INTERNSHIPS

Approve student teachers and internships for the 2020-2021 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

P-15. APPROVE AGREEMENT WITH EMPLOYEE #9891

Approval of agreement with employee #9891, in accordance with the non-public information in the hands of each Board member.

P-16. APPROVE AMENDED UHS ATHLETIC EVENT STAFF ASSIGNMENTS

Approve amended Union High School Athletic Event Staff Assignments for the 2020-2021 school year, in accordance with the information in the hands of each Board member.

L. Policy Committee

M. Residency Committee Resolutions

Upon recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Residency Committee presents the following resolutions for the Board’s consideration:

R-1. APPROVE LIST OF STUDENTS REMOVED FROM ROLLS

Approval be given to amend the list of students removed from the rolls [two (2) students exited the month of August 2020 (1from elementary, 1 from secondary) for a total of two (2) students for the 2020-2021 school year] who are not domiciled in this school district, in accordance with the non-public information in the hands of each Board member.

R-2. APPROVE TO REMOVE STUDENT

Approval to remove student #270596 from the attendance rolls as the student has been determined to be ineligible to attend the Township of Union Public Schools as a resident student.

R-3. APPROVE TO REMOVE STUDENT

Approval to remove student #290569 from the attendance rolls as the student has been determined to be ineligible to attend the Township of Union Public Schools as a resident student.

N. Technology Committee

O. Approval of Bills

Upon recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, that the Board concur with the bills listed in the permanent bound register appended to these minutes and be ordered for payment.